Muang Fai Communities in Northern Thailand
People’s Experiences and Wisdom in Irrigation Management
Vanpen Surarerks *As known well, Thai people from the past till the present time have their ways of lifein the river basin. And agriculture, rice growing or rice monopoly culture particularly, hasbeen their major means of income and provision long since. Historical records confirmed thatthe northern Thai or the “Lanna Thai” people, who also live in the basin areas of many majorrivers (ping – wang – yom - nan) originating from the high mountains passing through, havelearned and had experiences practicing “Muang Fai” irrigation system managemrnt for
agriculture for longer than 700 years. This is before Phya Mangrai, king of “Lanna Thai”
kingdom (B.E.1262-1317) founded its capital “Chiang Mai” and issued the irrigation law
known as “Mangrai Sart” or “Winitchai Mangrai” 1 ) in the same year of B.E. 1839
(A.D.1296). There are also documents on ancient Lanna Thai and other records of Chiang
Mai stating that the muang fai irrigation had long existed in Lanna Thai kingdom during B.E.
1100-1200 (A.D.557-657) or about 1,348-1,448 years before.
Water user members of Muang Fai system help each other constructing weirs ordiversion dams to block the waterway in the upper part and digging irrigation canal, known
among the northerners as “lam -muang” to direct the water to lower plains, resulting in
muang fai system community through the forming of an organization of administrators andmanagers in charge of systematic water usage for cultivation. The muang fai or weir system
helps ease the administration and the developing of agricultural economy. Muang Fai’s
system, then make its advantages for the Lanna Thai society when compared to hydraulicsocieties in other regions of the country.

*

Dr. Vanpen Surarerks, Professor Emeritus of Geography, Chang Mai University, Thailand

1)

7 versions of the Mangrai Sart law code :y The 1st version or the oldest version of Mangrai sart, is believed to be the version discovered by LannaSiho-Bhikkhu who found it at Wat Saohai, amphoe Saohai, Changwat Saraburi. The language and thecharacters used belongs to that of the Thai-Yuan inscribed on the palm leaves totaling 48 pages on both sidesof each leaf except for the last leaf on which only one side was written.
[Prasert Na Nagara : Mangrai Sart: rewritten into the present-time language from Wat Saohai version
B.E.2342 (A.D.1799). Printed on the occasion of the Royal Funeral of Luang Hotrakityanupat, B.E. 2514
(A.D. 1971)]
y The 2nd version belongs to Mr.Kraisri Nimmanhemindra who copied it from the original of The French
Consulate in Chiang Mai named Notton (Camel Notton) in B.E. 2482 (A.D. 1939) containing more
information than the first one.
y The 3rd version was found at Wat Chiangman in Chiang Mai. This is rewritten and it contains many parts
that were rearranged into different orders from the first one. (Chiang Mai Cultural Center, Chiang Mai
Teachers’ College, B.E. 2527 or A.D. 1984)y The 4th version has not been brought into this writer’s view, but is kept at Chiang Mai University. Thisversion is written with the Lanna Thai characters or the Thai Yuan character.
y The 5th version belongs to Wat Moen Ngern Kong, amphoe Muang, changwat Chiang Mai. It wastranscribed and published by the Department of Socio-Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai
University in B.E.2518 (A.D.1975) and was reprinted the second time by the Social Research Institute,
Chiang Mai University in B.E. 2525 (A.D.1982).
y The 6th version belongs to Wat Chaisathan, amphoe Saraphi, Chiang Mai and was published by the Chiang
Mai Cultural Center, Chiang Mai Teachers’ College, B.E.2527 (A.D.1984).
y The 7th version “Mangrai Sart” Wat Changkham, amphoe Muang, changwat Nan. Transcribed by Aroonrut
Wichienkeeo. Printed by Department of Anthropology, Research School of Pacific Studies, The Australian
National University, Australia, 1984.

2

Chiang Rai
wang

Mae Hong son
ping

PhayaoChiang Mai

yom
Lampang

Nan
nan

Phrae
LamphunFig.1 The Lanna Thai Kingdom

Fig.2 Phya Mangrai and Muang Fai Irrigation

Examples of Sanya Muang Fai
During Mangrai Dynasty B.E. 1839-2101 (A.D. 1296-1558)“when a weir is constructed, it is necessary to have law and regulations under which the
management will be effective. Because of this reason, Mangrai Sart or Phya Mangrai’s Laws include theregulations on the matter in great details. No matter how good the irrigation is, confusion and dispute canrise if it lacks laws and regulation to control.” 2) Those laws and regulations are now known as “Sanya
Muang Fai” or muang fai agreement. It was developed and adjusted to use in the People’s Irrigation System
in Lanna areas till now.

“Section 1 : There should be alternation of subjects doing royal services for 10 days, helping theconstruction of weir and working in the crop fields for another period of 10 days This will bejustifiable and go along with old tradition.” and" Besides, when a king rules the country, let him
arrange for subjects to serve the throne some and to build the cities, weir and work in the fields some.
This will bring happiness and prevent starvation. " 3)“Whoever destroyed the spirit house near the weir offends the spirits and can cause destruction ofweir. He has to rebuild the spirit house and offer proper sacrifice, and then he has to repair the weir.”4)“Section 1 : When one of the two farmers owning rice plots next to one another refuses to help hisneighbor irrigate the water into the rice plots, and instead, he steals the water from his neighbor. In
such case if he is killed by the neighbor, it is justified. If the neighbor has not killed him, the neighbor
can request a fine of 1,100,000 bia5)" (Notton,
p. 41)6), and Wat Chaisathan version, p. 19, recorded 11,000 bia)

2)

Kraisri Nimmanhemindra “Mangrai’s Irrigation Laws” , Social Sciences Review, Vol. 3, No.1, June, 1965 p’ 11
5th version: Wat Moen Ngern Kong, p.3
4)
1st version : Wat Saohai, p.97; and 2nd version: Notton, p. 47
5)1 ngoen = 1,000 bia. The rate derives from “Samuttarat” (folk laws) transcribed by Aroonrut Wichienkeeo, Chiang Mai
Teachers’ College, 1981. (From the statement at that time 10 ngoen equaled 10,000 bia) p. 14
3)

3"Section 1 : If any ruler or anyone, who cultivates rice paddy in rain-fed or irrigated field, fails
either from lack of experience and insight or from negligence to make use of some lands, but claims
that the crops do not give good yield and requests for rental reduction, let him be granted reduction
for 3 years. However, if after that period of grace he still claims the same, do not consent, but instead
take away from him the right to operate the land.” 7)“When one liab nam (one weir committee) quarreled with water user who destroyed irrigation canalfor stealing water and was killed on his duty, The water user or the killer must be fined 1,000,000
bia. But, if the water stealer was hit and died by liab nam, it was considered no wrong.” 8)Sanya Mang Fai
Sanya mang fai was nowadays the laws and regulations drafted under consent and agreement of all
member of both the irrigation administrators such as huana muang fai (kae fai or kae muang), rong huana
muang fai (deputy chair, there was one), phuchuai huana muang fai (assistant, if there was one) and lamnam (water messenger) and the water users.
The purpose of the drafting was to control water usage in their irrigation area.
The main contents of Sanya Muang Fai found during the period of almost 50 years were not muchdifferent as Abha9) has compiled (Vanpen Surarerks,1986). There are as follows:• Appointed and named the persons who are huana muang-fai, phuchuai and lam nam.
• Promised to obey the huana muang-fai in all matters.
• Set the annual work calendar, June to mid-November (only in raining season).
• Set them to work on dredging and repairing the system.
• Set the exemptions for those who are ill and unable to work.
• Set the rate of fines for those who did not work as scheduled and for huana and lam nam
who did not carry out their duties.
• Set the rate of fines for those who steal water or cause damage to the weir.
• Set the rate of fines for each equipment which water users fail to bring to maintain systemsuch as in dredging canal.
• Set the rate of fines for being absent from meetings.
• Established the method for dredging the canal from the upper weir to the lower weirs.
• Some systems set fines for those who did not bring food on work days.
The Weir Maintenance
The fixed time for weir repairing is around June which is the time after the peasants have finisheddredging all the canal systems (main canal and lateral or ditches).

6)

1st version : Wat Saohai, p. 83
1st version : Wat Saohai, p. 107
8)Mangrai Sart A-wahan 25, Wat Nantharam, p. 129)Abha Sirivong Na Ayuthaya, 1979. A Comparative Study of Traditional Irrigation Systems in Two Communities ofNorthern Thailand,
Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute7)

4

The period for weir repairing ranges from 1 up to 10 days. The year in which the weir has sufferedmajor damages, there may be many sessions of weir repairing or there may be one session as long as 15days or longer.
The dredging session may be only once a year (around March or June) or twice a year in somesystems (the first session will be in June and the second one in December).

Fig.4 Weir MaintenanceFig.3 Fai Mae Chaem with Old and New Spirit House

Mai Jing
Mai Khao

Small basket

Mai Ngam

Knife field

Mai Ruak
Hoe
Ta-Khe-Yai
Khon Na Waen
Khon Hang Kang

Khon Kra Thung

Fig.5 : Equipment for Maintenance of the Weir and Canal – Long Muang Ti Fai

5

The Example of Fai Mae Sao
The equipment for weir repairing (wood) required is determined by the area of 1 rai (0.16 ha)
1. Three sizes of lak fai Hardwood 2
sok(1 m)amount 20 sticks
1.5
sok(0.75 m)
amount 20 sticks
1
sok(0.5 m)
amount 20 sticks
2. Mai Khoa3
wa(6 m)amount1 stick
3. Ta-Khe or Charakheamount2 bundles
Fai Mae Sao at the time before it was included in the National Irrigation System, was a small
irrigation project covering only 1,484 rai and it had ample water supply so there was no need to use thedividing devices of tang and pan khiang* as in other systems. The weir was also in good condition so
there was no need to require lak fai contribution in some years. The rules concerning the requirement ofequipment for maintenance were stated in general as can be seen above. Weir repairing was scheduled foronce a year in June and it took only one day to do the work.

* “thang” or taang was a passage way for water to enter the fields from a dividing structure called“khiang” or “tae” which was located at the mouth of some laterals or sublaterals. This also refers to theapportioning of labor for dredging the canals.
“thang” or ”taang” termed by the National Irrigation System “thang rabai nam khao plaeng na” or“farm turn-out”“khiang” means water dividing structure in People’s Irrigation System.

Nam Yok - Water Exemption as a Remuneration for Administrators
Remuneration for administrators is called nam yok by the northerners. It means nam tang whichis exempted. As discussed earlier that in order to qualify for 1 taang, a member has to supply 1 laborer foreach 5 or 10 rai. So nam yok refers to the water (nam) for which an exemption (yok wen) is granted.
There is no need to supply labor or equipment or even to make financial contributions.

The Example of Fai Mae Chaem *Nam yok(rai)Administrators
Committee Members
1 huana muang fai
2 rong huana
3 Phuchuai in village level or kae muang each
4 phuchuai cae muang and lam nam each2 nd rate
1 st rate
Before 1978 1978-1987

3 rd rate
1988-present

60
35
20
20

15
6
20
20

60
20
20

20
10
10 each of 11 watchmen at
farm turn-out

treasurer
each of 7 committees

72
48
48
36

Administrators and other positions
5 kamnan
6 phuyai ban
7 Other positions to be considered* Fai Mae Chaem still has 2 more cases for water exemption at present which are as follows :1.Monasteries’ farmlands or cultivated areas
2. Schools farmlands or cultivated areas

72
24
16

6

Water Fee Collection“kha nam” or water fee or irrigation fee is a kind of compensation the administrators collect fromthe water user members in different occasions and in various forms according to the agreement made by theadministrators and the water user members. Generally the set rate for “kha nam” is determined by theamount of cultivated land owned by the farmers, who use the water, the same way as in the “nam yok”
affair. The rate is always calculated by muangfai agreement based on 1 rai. The differences lie in thefrequency of the collection which range from 1 rai per one growing season (around half a year) to 1 rai per
year.
From the studies one may describe the water fee collection in the People’s Irrigation System as follows:
•
•
•

•

Compensation for Weir Administrator
Fee for Irrigation MaintenanceCompensation for persons who look after the weir, and head regulator, or for nai truat nam or “liap nam”
Fee for Rain Praying Ceremonies or for Offering to the Spirit of the Weir

The Example of Fai Phya KhamIn the first 15-20 years when Phya Kham was the huana muang fai there was no water fee
collection. The members would give whatever amount they felt like directly to Phya Kham in the form of
unhusked rice.
But later, around 70 to 75 years ago, they began to collect the fee to give as compensation to theadministrators.
“For each one hom or 3 rai of cultivated land, one had to give 1 taang of unhusked rice or 1.5
thang or 15 kilograms per year.”
The fee would be divided among the administrators namely huana muang fai and phu chuai.
Such practice, however was cancelled along with the cancellation of nam yok when Fai Phya Kham wasconstructed into semi-permanent of hin thing (stone filled or loose stone weir) type in 1971.
The water fee collection is still in practice at present in Phya Kham system. The rates vary in
different luk fai (check or sub-weir). In tambon Yang Noeng areas of luk fai Mae Fa Pha, the water user
menbers had to pay compensation to each one of cultivated land at the following rate :1982-83• In the rainy season or the main crop growing season 1 thang (10 kg) of unhusked rice/rai• In the dry season or the upland (or field) crop growing season in 10 baht cash/rai• Besides, they also had to pay 25 stang per one rai (some gave 50 stang to give to the weirand head regulator keeper each year.
1997-present • In the rainy season or the main crop growing season 1 thang (10 kg)of unhusked rice/rai• In the dry season or the annual crop growing season in 100 baht cash/rai• In irrigated area of Lamyai ( longan) garden, the gardeners had to pay either 60 baht/year or 10
baht/tree/year (about 20 trees/rai)Labor Participation in the Repairing of the Weirand Clearing and Dredging of the Canals
Labor contribution in repairing the weir and clearing and dredging canals and is considered fairand reasonable to all members since it is determined by the amount of water allocation which is based on
the amount of land owned by each member. This is based on the simple logic that those who have smaller
amounts of land use less water so they should supply less labor and those who have more land use morewater so on and so forth as indicated in section 16 of the People’s Irrigation Act 1939.

7

Examples of Labor Participation - Kan Song Raeng
1.Fai Luang Mae Sao
General Rules: Obligation to supply labor in repairing weir and clearing canals was determined byarea of land owned:
1.1 Land area:

0.1 – 1010.01 – 20
20.01 – 30

rai
rai
rai

contributecontributecontribute

12
3

1.2 Rented land from different owners: must be considered separately;
e.g. 3 separate plots of rented land
1st plots 5
raicontribute1
2nd plots 5
raicontribute1
3rd plots 5
raicontribute1

laborer(s)laborer(s)laborer(s)laborer(s)laborer(s)laborer(s)2. Fai Ton Kaeo
Till 1983
Since 1984

Since 1999

Irrigated area

15

rai

contribute1

laborer(s)*Irrigated area

15

rai

contribute2

laborer(s)*Irrigated area <10

raicontribute1

laborer(s)*

>10

rai

contribute2

laborer(s)*Cancellation of labor (water users) contribution in repairing the weir, it wasinstead supported by the Mae Rim municipality’s budget and labors.

* The laborers must be 17 years or older. Any laborer younger than 17 years will be sent backand the absence is worth 50 baht fine per day.

In General, there occurred many changes of the traditional irrigation systems e.g. After the weir of
Fai Mae Chaem has been changed from the former bamboo to be a reinforced concrete one since 1988,
the labor contribution in repairing the weir was cancelled. Only the labor contribution in clearing anddredging canals was left

Subjects of Punishment and the Rate of Fines in Sanya Muang Fai
Causes of Problems y Water stealing• Being absent from their work’s schedule and duties on repairing the weirand clearing and dredging of the canals• Forgetting or failing to bring maintenance equipments of the weir and canal• Other cases mentioned in Sanya Muang Fai

8

Fines
1. Case of water stealing
1 st time • persons involved or violators warning from hua na munag fai (water head -man or head of
the People’s Irrigation System), phu yai ban (head of the village) or kamnan (head of thetambon or sub-district).
• huana muang fai judges disputes that arise between water user members by warning thetwo parties

2 nd time •the violators paying the fine due to the rate set by Muang Fai Committee of each system(the rate of fines are mostly between 50-500 baht per infraction or higher)

3 rd time •the violators being judging from the local government officials at amphoe level. Due to thePeople’s Irrigation Law of B.E. 1939, they may be fined up to not more than 50 baht pertime or be jailed for nor more than 10 days per infraction or both (be fined and be jailed)[In some irrigation systems only the first two levels or two types of punishment mentioned
above are practiced.]

2. Case of being absent from the work of dredging and repairing the system• water user members who are absent from the work mentioned will be fined due to theagreement of each system with different rates (pers./time or pers./day), for examples: 10baht, 15 baht, 50 baht, 150 baht, 200 baht and 500 baht

Remark: The rate of fines mentioned above can be used in the different cases as follows :• start to work very late at 09:00 a.m – 10:00 a.m. will be considered the same as being
absent from the work
• depart before huana muang fai or other weir committee inspect their work, or leaving thework earlier than usual time without permission• not working as ordered by huana muang fai and trying to escape from one’s responsibility
on system maintenance

Rules of Punishment and the Rate of Fines
Case of forgetting to bring equipment for maintenance of the weir and canal• the rate of fines for each equipment which water users fail to bring to maintain system isgenerally 5 baht
• the rate of fines for forgetting to bring all or some of “lak fai” (weir pillars) as required by hua
na muang fai is about 1-5 baht each• the rate of fines for forgetting to bring “sa poh” (a small woven bamboo basket which is used
to carry dirt)
is about 2-10 baht each9Conclusion
The People’s Irrigation System, through “Sanya Muang Fai” in which the water users or farmers
cooperate to build devices to irrigate their farmlands in river basins of Lanna’s areas known as “Muang
Fai System,” has been practiced since A.D. 557-657. This sanya muang fai has been refered in both
People’s Irrigation Act of 1939 and the National or Royal one of 1980 and 1983.
Since Peoples’s Irrigation System is important to the life of “Muang Fai Communities” innorthern Thailand or Lanna areas, water users or farmers should not only maintain their experiences andwisdom in irrigation system management. At the same time, they should also try to make the best use of
their potential or expertise, understand their problems (Fig.6), and then develop and improve their practiceto, finally, achieve “the most efficient water management” (Fig.7). This will make them to more efficientin doing agri-business intensively throughout the year and upgrading their socio-economic status as well.

References
1

Vanpen Surarerks. 1986, Historical Development and Management of Irrigation Systems in
Northern Thailand, printed in Thailand, Bangkok by Chareonwit Printing Ltd. 492 p.

2. 2003 “The Way of Life in River Basin : Muang Fai Communities in Northern
Thailand”, Geography and the Thais’ Way of Life, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Anthropology Centre, Amarin Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd. Bangkok, pp. 176-247

3. 2000-2003 Additional Field Survey in the Studied Muang Fai Irrigation System
Areas in Northern Thailand (Lanna areas)

10Fig. 6 Water Management of People’s Irrigation System
In Muang Fai Communities, Northern Thailand

Strengths/Advantages :Having sufficient / surplus water budget / area
Other physical conditions are alike

Physical Factors of the Areas
Topography Ground water

Strengths/Advantages:
Size of the project issmall and convenient
to take care of and todeliver water in all
project areas.
etc.

Water budget Natural waterways

Climatology Forest
Soil characteristics
Etc.

Physical Factors of the
Systems
General structure ofsystems
Drainage system
conditions
Canal and irrigation
system conditions atfarm level
Size or scale of the projectetc.

Weaknesses/Disadvant
ages :
Temporary or semipermanent wairstructure
Irrigation canal is as
natural and its system
is unsoundtechnologically
Lack of drainage system

Weaknesses/Disadvantages :Lack of land leveling
Other physical conditions are alike

Water Management ofPeople’s Irrigation
Systems
in Northern Thailand

Management Factors
Government plan and policy in
Irrigation development
Schedule of water delivery or water
rotation
Plan for dry season crop of second
crop growing
Plan for controlling water usage
People’s Irrigation Acts
Sanya Muang Fai
System maintenanceCommunication network on
irrigation etc.

Strengths/Advantages :Those who are involved acknowledge the plan and policy wellahead of time
Water delivery can be done at all time in almost every project
Members accept the Sanya Muang Fai which make it more
effective in water management, system maintenance, andcooperation.

Factors concerned
Organization of
the System
Administrators :Government
officials
Weir committee
Water user
members

Strengths/Advantages :Same group ofadministrators in bothproject and farm levels
Administrators receive
respect and trust frommembers
Administrators have done
what they said, they are
fair & work firstly for
their community, andthey also haveexperiences
Members are highly
responsible & follow the
Sanya Muang Fai (weiragreement) earnestly

Weaknesses/Disadvantages :Some administrators in bothproject and farm level lackof responsibility
Some members in the present
time have little
responsibility

Weaknesses/Disadvantages :Lack of crop growing plan makes each farmer growwhatever crop he is inclined to grow.
No water use plan and to be used economically
Administrators lack of responisibility andcooperation in system maintenance11

Fig. 7 Model of the Most Efficient Water Management for Agriculture

Land Levelingalong the irrigation
canals and irrigatedarea
for easy water
delivery

Development
andImprovenmentof Water
Resource
for use all year
eg. reservoir

Administrative
Organization :simple,less complex eg. weircommittee composedof water users who
benefit from the
project
Project Leader :comes from themembers
receives majority votefrom the members

Structure of theWhole System, eg.
weir, canal systemand other structures
along the canal, built
technologically

Drainage System
and Reservoir forwater storage built
technologically inevery project

Development
andImprovement ofother Input
Resources
besides water eg.
soil

PhysicalFeatures of Areain
Irrigation System

Physical
Structures of
Irrigation
SystemSize of Project
must be in proper
proportion to all year
water budget andpersonnel

The
Most Efficient
Water
Management

Characteristicsof Managementin Irrigation
SystemGovernment Policy
and Acting Plan fordevelopment must
be clear andeffective

Time Table for
Rotational Water
Delivery : efficient,practical, allowing
sufficient water to be
used economically

Crop Growing
Plan : for annual
planting, especially indry season must be inaccordance withwater quantity,
market and selling
price etc.

Leader andWorking Group’s
Qualifications : ability
to keep promise, fair,
conscientiously working
for the members,
honest etc..

Characteristics
of Organizationin irrigation
systemWater User
Members : must
respect theregulations and behighly responsible
and the least selfish

ProperRemuneration
System : toencourage and boost
the morale of the
devotedadministrators

Use
the Inter-Group
Control System forwater distribution andreception and have an
Acts or Laws
effective system
Concerning Water Use
maintenancemust be easy tounderstand andeffectively enforced forbenefit as well as forpunishment andaccepted as
Sanya Muang Fai